Key controlled setting apparatus for printing wheels in rotary duplicators

ABSTRACT

A PRINTING MECHANISM INCLUDING AN ORDINAL SERIES OF DIGITAL PRINTING WHEELS IS SET TO SELECTED DIGITAL POSITIONS BY AN ELECTRIC CONTROL CIRCUIT INCLUDING AN ORDINAL SERIES OF DIGITAL SETS OF MANUALLY OPERATED KEY SWITCHES. AFTER ACTUATION OF A KEY SWITCH FOR EACH PRINTING WHEEL, A START SWITCH IS OPERATED WHEREUPON THE PRINTING WHEELS ARE AUTOMATICALLY SET TO THE SELECTED PRINTING POSITION. THE MECHANISM IS BUILT INTO A CAVITY OF A PRINTING CYLINDER SO THAT A COPY SHEET IMPRINTED BY THE SAME IS ALSO IMPRINTED BY THE PRINTING WHEELS. IT IS ALSO POSSIBLE TO ARRANGE THE PRINTING WHEELS IN THE PATH OF MOVEMENT OF A COPY SHEET IMPRINTED IN A PRINTING MACHINE, AND TO USE THE PRINTING WHEELS TO PRINT ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THE COPY SHEET.

Nov. 2, 1971 G. RITZERFELD 3,616,749

KEY CONTROLLED SETTING APPARATUS FOR PRINTING WHEELS IN ROTARYDUPLICATORS 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 20, 1969 lm'enforc umm 2171. Ennu.

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Nov. 2, 1971 e. RITZERFELD 3,616,749

KEY CONTROLLED SETTING APPARATUS FOR PRINTING.

WHEELS IN ROTARY DUPLICATORS Filed March 20, 1969 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig.2

In rental 6n H4!!!) [217: EnFee.

Nov. 2, 1971 G. RITZERFELD 3,616,749

KEY CONTROLLED SETTING APPARATUS FOR PRINTING= WHEELS IN ROTARYDUPLICATORS 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Maren 20. 1969 lnremar- 604mm 91721::Fax 9 Nov. 2, 1971 s. RITZERFELD 3,616,749

KEY CONTROLLED SETTING APPARATUS FORPRINTING WHEELS IN ROTARYDUPLICATORS Filed March 20, 1969 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 lnrenfor:

.Geum; mrz an FM Nov. 2, 1971 G. RITZERFELD 3,616,749

KEY CONTROLLED SETTING APPARATUS FOR PRINTING WHEELS IN ROTARYDUPLICATORS 6 Shets-Sheet 6.

Filed Maren 20. 1969 Inventor.-

600 mm 7 17264 F86 9 2, 1971 G. RlTZERFELD 3,616,749

KEY CONTROLLED SETTING APPARATUS FOR PRINTING WHEELS IN ROTARYDUPLICATORS Filed March 20, 1969 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 In rental?- 660 m 99/72 a r United States Patent O US. Cl. 10191 25 Claims ABSTRACT OF THEDISCLOSURE A printing mechanism including an ordinal series of digitalprinting wheels is set to selected digital positions by an electriccontrol circuit including an ordinal series of digital sets of manuallyoperated key switches. After actuation of a key switch for each printingwheel, a start switch is operated whereupon the printing wheels areautomatically set to the selected printing position. The mechanism isbuilt into a cavity of a printing cylinder so that a copy sheetimprinted by the same is also imprinted by the printing wheels. It isalso possible to arrange the printing wheels in the path of movement ofa copy sheet imprinted in a printing machine, and to use the printingwheels to print additional information on the copy sheet.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Printing devices including a plurality ofprinting wheels requiring manual setting are known. Particularly, it isknown to mount a series of printing wheels in a cavity of a printingcylinder or duplicating roller so that after manual setting of theprinting wheels, additional information is imprinted on a copy sheetwhich is also imprinted by a master attached to the duplicatingcylinder. The manual setting of each printing wheel is generally carriedout by an implement for engaging recesses of a toothed segment securedto each printing wheel, and to turn the segment with the printing wheeluntil the implement is stopped by a stationary stop. The manual settingof a printing mechanism having a great number of printing wheels leadsto errors and is very time consuming.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is one object of the invention to overcomethe disadvantages of known printing devices including a series ofindependently settable printing wheels, and to provide a key controlledmotor driven setting apparatus for a series of printing wheels.

Another object of the invention is to provide a key controlled settingapparatus for printing whels which is so compact that it can be mountedin a cavity of a printing cylinder.

Another object of the invention is to provide a key controlled automaticsetting apparatus for printing wheels which can be mounted on thesupport of a printing or duplicating machine in such a position that theprinting wheels print on copy sheets imprinted in the machine andtransported away from the printing cylinder.

Another object of the invention is to provide a key controlled automaticsetting apparatus by which ordinal printing wheels are set to selecteddigital positions respectively.

Another object of the invention is to provide a key controlled automaticsetting apparatus which accurately and reliably sets printing wheels toprinting positions selected by operation of the respective keys.

In accordance with the invention, each printing position of eachprinting wheel is correlated with a key operated selector switch, andeach printing wheel is associated with coupling means which are operatedby elec- 3,616,749 Patented Nov. 2., 1971 tromagnetic means under thecontrol of a cam operated interrogation device to couple the printingwheels to drive means in angular position corresponding to the selecteddigit or character representing types on the same.

One embodiment of the invention comprises a series of printing wheels,each having a set of types, and being turnable between a set of printingposition, a series of coupling means for connecting drive means with theprinting wheels, respectively; a set of cam means rotated by the drivemeans; and a control circuit.

In accordance with the invention, the control circuit includes a seriesof electromagnetic means for operating the coupling means, respectively,a series of sets of key switches, and a set of interrigation switchessequentially actuated by said cam means during one revolution of thesame, and connected with said key switches, respectively.

The several series all have the same number, and the several sets alsohave the same number. Specifically, if only numbers are to be printed,each series in an ordinal series, and each set is a digital set forrepresenting the ten digits 0 to 9. However, the apparatus can be usedfor printing words, so that each printing wheel has types respectivelycorresponding to an alpha numerical font.

In one embodiment, the drive means include a shaft supporting theprinting wheels for free rotation, and the coupling means are biased toconnect the shaft with the printing wheels, and are operable by theelectromagnetic means to disengage the printing Wheels and to engage thesame in selected angular positions.

It is advantageous to drive the shaft from a motor by means of a Genevatransmission so that the shaft, and printing wheels coupled with thesame, turn stepwise so that the printing types of each printing wheelmove stepwise to a printing line. The motor is started by a startswitch, and after one revoltuion of the shaft, a switch is actuated by aprojection on the shaft to stop the motor, shaft, and printing wheels.

It is advantageous to arrest all printing wheels in a position in whichthe types thereon are accurately aligned in axial direction. Thearresting means is operated by another electromagnetic to release theprinting wheels when the start switch is operated, and to engage thesame again when the printing wheels have been set.

When the printing wheels are mounted on a drive shaft, the couplingmeans preferably include a set of coupling teeth on the drive shaft, anda biased coupling pawl normally engaging the coupling teeth, and beingoperable by a control lever of the electromagnetic means to release thecoupling teeth to permit relative movement between the printing wheelsand the drive shaft. The electromagnetic means can be simultaneouslyenergized for causing disengagement of all coupling means.

The set of cam means is mounted on the drive shaft and rotate with thesame to sequentially actuate the interrogation switches which areconnected with all key switches, each set of key switches beingconnected in series with the respective electromagnetic means and withmanually opened and closed contacts. All electromagnetic means aresimultaneously energized by the closed contacts, and are successivelyde-energized by the interrogation switches at moments depending on theselection of key switches. When the respective electromagnetic means isde-energized in a particular selected angular position of the driveshaft, a respective coupling means again assumes a coupling position,and more specifically, the coupling pawls engage the coupling teeth ofthe drive shaft.

In order to set the printing wheels in selected angular positions on theshaft, the coupling pawl transports the printing wheel only during apart of the net yet completed revolution of the shaft so that theselected type stops in the printing line.

While the above described embodiment is preferably mounted in a cavityof a printing cylinder, another embodiment of the invention is disposedfollowing the printing line of a printing cylinder, such as aduplicating roller, and the printing wheels print on copy sheets alreadyimprinted by the master on the duplicating roller, and being transportedaway from the same. In this embodiment, the printing wheels are mountedfor free rotation on a shaft, but are not driven by the same. The shaftis carried by a movable support which is operated by a printing magnetto move the support with the printing wheels to a position for printingon the copy sheet.

The transporting means of the copy sheets permit stopping of the samewhile being imprinted by the printing wheels. After the printingoperation, an electromagnet is energized to Withdraw the stop means fromthe path of the imprinted copy sheet, and the transporting means areagain effective to discharge the same. The discharged copy sheetoperates a switch which de-energizes the respective magnet so that thestop means becomes again operative to stop the next following copysheet.

In this embodiment, the drive means include a motor driven shaftcarrying the cam means and being connected by gears to a drive cam whichoperates cam follower means. Each coupling means includes a firstcoupling member having a rack portion meshing with a gear secured to therespective printing wheel, and a ratchet portion. A biassed secondcoupling member in the form of a coupling pawl is reciprocated by thecam follower means and is biassed to engage a coupling recess in therespective first coupling member. Each coupling means also includes anarresting member engaging the ratchet portion of the first couplingmember, and being operated by an electromagnetic means.

The cam shaft by which the interrogation switches are sequentiallyoperated, is driven by a motor through a one revolution clutch so thatthe cam shaft, and also the drive cam stop after one revolution of thecam shaft.

The rack portions of the first coupling members turn all printing wheelsone revolution so that all types traverse the printing line.

The interrogation switches cause de-energization of the electromagnetscontrolling the arresting means so that the latter engage the firstcoupling member and arrest the same in a position in which therespective printing wheel is in a printing position selected byoperation of the respective key switch.

It is advantageous to provide a switch which is opened by the drivemeans to energize the respective electromagnet to operate the arrestingmeans to release the first coupling member. This switch is opened againbefore the respective interrogation switch closes again after beingopened by the respective cam means.

The drive cam causes return of all coupling members to an initialposition during a second revolution performed by the cam shaft upon asecond actuation of the one revolution clutch.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic for theinvention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. Theinvention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method ofoperation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, willbe best understood from the following description of specificembodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a fragmentary plan viewillustrating one en 1 bodiment of the invention which is mounted in acavity of a duplicating cylinder;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line A-B in FIG. 1and illustrating a part of the apparatus on an enlarged scale;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line C-D in FIG. 1, andillustrating another part of the apparatus on an enlarged scale;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the electric control circuit of theembodiment of FIGS. 1 to 3;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary schematic elevation illustrating a secondembodiment of the invention disposed adjacent the printing roller of aduplicating machine for printing on discharged imprinted copy sheets;and

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the electric control circuit of theembodiment of FIG. 5.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring first to theembodiment of FIGS. 1 to 4 in which the setting apparatus is mounted ina cavity of a printing cylinder or duplicating roller 1 which carries amaster 128 on its periphery, printing cylinder 1 is mounted for turningmovement on shaft 55, and cooperates with a counterpressure roller, notshown, to imprint on a copy sheet the text of master 128. An indexabledrive shaft 30 is mounted in the side walls of the cavity for rotation,and is driven from a motor 31 through a Geneva transmission, see FIG. 3,including a rotary driving member 37 provided with a pin 38 whichcooperates with the recessed driven wheel 39 to rotate shaft 30 stepwisein the direction of the arrow F. The blocking member 40 turns with thedriving member 37 and blocks turning movement of the driven member 39intermediate its angular steps until transporting pin 38 engages therespective next following recess 41 of the driven member 39.

An ordinal series of printing wheels 28 is mounted on shaft 30, eachwheel having a digital set of printing types. A coupling pawl 27 ismounted on each printing wheel 28 for pivotal movement about a pin 29,and is biased by a spring 44 to engage one of the notches betweencoupling teeth on shaft 30. The number of coupling teeth and notches isthe same as the number of types on each printing wheel 28. Preferably,ten types are provided which respectively represent the digits from,

0 to 9. The types are separated by arresting notches 36 which can beaxially aligned, irrespective of the digital printing position of eachprinting wheel 28. One printing type projects out of the cavity and isin a printing position in which the type thereon can be printed on acopy sheet together with the text of the master 128 during rotation ofprinting cylinder 1.

On a shaft 33 mounted in the side walls of the cavity, a U-shapedarresting means is mounted for turning movement, and has an arrestingbar 34 which is normally urged by a spring 35 to a position engaging arow of notches 36 so as to align the printing wheels 28. Upon operationof an electromagnet 32, arresting bar 34 is withdrawn from the notches36 of the printing wheels 28 so that the same can be turned and set todesired printing positions.

Two rows of electromagnetic control means 20 are respectively mounted onaxially extending supporting brackets 18 and 19 whose angular endportions are secured to the side walls of the cavity. Electromagnets 20respectively operate control levers 21 and 22 which are mounted onpivots 24 and 23 and are biassed by springs 25 and 26 which are securedto fixed points 129 and 47 and urge control levers 22, 21 to theinoperative positions shown in FIG. 2. Upon energization of theelectromagnetic control means 20, the axially alternating control levers21 and 22 are selectively moved to pawl 27 of the same order, and torelease the coupling between pawl 27 and the teeth of drive shaft 40until electromagnetic means 20 are again de-energized.

As explained above, shaft 30 can be stepwise turned by the Genevatransmission 37 to 40 while some or all printing wheels 28 are uncoupledfrom the same and locked by the arresting bar 34.

A digital set of staggered cam means 42 is secured to shaft 30 and turnsstepwise with the same. Each cam means 42 is correlated with one of thedigits from to 9, and cooperates with a corresponding digitalinterrogation switch 43, shown in FIG. 4 so that switches 43 aresequentially opened during each revolution of shaft 30 which takes placein ten steps.

A contact bar 16 is secured to the side walls of the cavity and carriesa series of stationary contacts 17 arranged in an axially extending row,as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. As best seen in FIG. 4, the stationarycontacts are respectively connected with the electromagnetic controlmeans which are respectively connected to digital sets of key switches48 which can be independently operated to select one of the digits from0 to 9 in each set of ten key switches 48. While keys are shown only forthe first and last key switch of each digital set, it will be understoodthat each key switch can be independently selected and operated. Thenumber of sets of key switches 48 corresponds to the number ofelectromagnetic means 20, and to the number of printing wheels 28. FIG.4 shows the arrangement only for three orders, but it will be understoodthat any number of orders can form the series of printing wheels 28, andthat the same number of digital sets of key switches 48 will have to beprovided for selection of the desired printing positions of eachprinting wheel.

In the position illustrated in FIG. 3, an ordinal series of contacts 15cooperates with the ordinal series of contacts 17. The contacts 15 aremounted on a movable contact bridge 7 which is supported for turningmovement by pivots 13 on lateral walls 11 and 12, as best seen inFIG. 1. One leg of the U-shaped contact bridge 7 carries a pin 8 engagedby an angular lever 3 which is mounted on a pivot 2 on lateral wall 11and is biassed by a spring 6 to abut a first stop 9 so that the Weightof contact bridge 7 moves the same to the position in which contacts 15respectively abut contacts 17 for energizing all electromagnetic controlmeans 20 simultaneously. When angular lever 3 is turned in clockwisedirection as viewed in FIG. 3 to a position abutting stop 10, spring 6moves about a fixed holding stud 4 through a dead center position, andangular lever 3 is arrested in the new position in which all contacts 15are spaced from all contacts '17 so that electromagnetic control means10 are deenergized.

Referring now to the circuit diagram of FIG. 4, as explained above, anordinal series of key switches 48 is provided, only three sets of keyswitches being shown for the sake of simplicity. The ten interrogationswitches 43 are respectively connected with the corresponding digitalkey switches of all sets. One terminal of a voltage source is connectedto all movable contacts 17 on contact bar 7 and also to a switch 46which is operated by an actuator pin 45 on shaft 30, as shown in FIG. 3.A relay winding 50 is connected in series with switch 46 and controlsthree relay switches 51, 52, 53 which are respectively connected withthe other terminal of the voltage source, which is also connected withthe interrogation switches 43.

A start switch 49 is connected in series with rela; winding 50 and inparallel with the holding contact 51 of the same. The second relaycontact 52 is connected in series with the electromagnet 32 by which thearresting means 34 is operated, as shown in FIG. 2. The third relaycontact 53 is connected in series with motor 31, see FIG. 3, by whichshaft is stepwise rotated by means of the Geneva transmission 37 totogether with the digital set of cam means 42 by which the interrogationswitches 43, not shown in FIG. 1, are sequentially operated during eachrevolution of cam 30. A delay device 54 is connected in series withmotor 31 so that when relay 50 operates relay contacts 52 and 53,electromagnet 32 first operates arresting means 34 to release theprinting wheels 28, whereupon rotation of shaft 39 by motor 31 isstarted.

When printing cylinder 1 is in its normal initial position, the manuallyoperated angular lever 3 is turned from a position abutting stop 10 tothe position illustrated in FIG. 3 abutting stop 9 so that all ordinalcontacts 17 engage the respective stationary contacts 15, and theapparatus is ready for the selection of the new digits to which eachordinal printing wheel 28 is to be set. One key switch 48 of eachdigital set is actuated by the operator, and closed. Evidently, the keysof the key switches of each set are provided with indicia indicating thedigits from 0 to 9, and as many sets of keys are provided as there areprinting wheels. For example, forty printing wheels 28, and acorresponding number of sets of key switches 48, electromagnetic means20, and contacts 15 and 17 may be provided.

Each electromagnetic means 20 is energized through a selected key switch48 and an interrogation switch 43 closed by a cam 42 to operate thecontrol levers 21 and 22 in the direction of the arrow B in FIG. 2 sothat the coupling pawls 27 are turned by control levers 21 and 22 to aposition disengaging the coupling teeth of shaft 30 and interrupting thecoupling connection be tween the same and printing wheels 28.

The start switch 49 is now operated, relay 50 is energized through theclosed switch 46, and relay contacts 51, 52, 53 close. Holding contact51 bridges start switch 49 so that the same can be released by theoperator. Relay contact 52 effects energization of electromagnet 32which withdraws arresting means 34 from all printing wheels 28. After adelay caused by delay device 54, motor 31, which is a quickly stoppingbrake motor, is energized and stepwise drives shaft 30 through theGeneva transmission 37 to 40 so that the ten cam means 42 sequentiallyopen the interrogation switches 43 whereby electromag netic means 20 aresequentially tie-energized and permit springs 25, 26 to sequentiallyturn control levers 21 and 22 to positions releasing the biassedcouplings pawls 27 which immediately couple the respective correlatedprinting wheels with shaft 30. Therefore, the angular position of eachcoupled printing wheel 28 on shaft 30 will depend on the selection ofthe respective key switch 48 so that a line of types representing thedigits selected by key switches 48 is formed. At the end of onerevolution of shaft 30, the selected types representing the selectednumber will be in a printing position projecting from the periphery ofthe printing cylinder.

The rotation of shaft 30 is terminated after one revolution when theprojecting actuator pin 45 on shaft 30, see FIG. 3, engages stop switch46 and shortly opens the same so that relay 50 is de-energized, andholding contacts 51, 52, 53 open. Electromagnet 32 is de-energized, andpermits springs 35 to move arresting means 34 to the operative positionshown in FIG. 2 whereby each printing wheel is arrested in the selecteddigital printing position, while at the same time types located in thesame axial line are accurately aligned. Brake motor 31 quickly stops sothat shaft 30 with the printing wheels 28 coupled to the same is alsostopped. Contact bridge 7 can now be turned by operation of angularlever 3 to a position in which contacts 15 and 17 are spaced so thatelectromagnetic means 20 are all deenergized.

A printing operation on a copy sheet can now be started. Printingcylinder 1 is rotated so that a copy sheet transported by the printingcylinder and by a counterpressure roller, not shown, is imprinted notonly by the text of the master 12-8, but also by the selected series oftypes which are aligned in axial direction.

While the printing wheels 28 have been described to have ten digitalpositions, and ten printing types representing the digits from O to 9,it is apparent that any alpha numerical character may be used for a typeon a printing wheel.

Referring now to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, an ordinalset of digital printing wheels 82 is 7 mounted for rotation on a shaft132 on a supporting frame 62 which is located outside of the printingcylinder 1.

A copy sheet 57 printed by the master 128 on printing cylinder 1 duringrotation about shaft 55, is transported by pairs of transporting rollers58, 59 along a supporting table 66. Transporting rollers 59 arecontinuously rotated by drive means, not shown. Transporting rollers 58and 5 9 have shafts 63 and 64, shafts 63 being mounted for verticalmovement with transporting rollers 58 in slots 60 in the lateral wallsof the supporting frame 62. Springs 55 connect shafts 63 and 64 to urgethe rollers to a position engaging and transporting copy sheet 57 alongtable 66 until the leading edge of copy sheet 57 abuts the end portionof an angular stop lever 67 which is mounted for turning movement on ashaft 71 and holds the copy sheet in the illustrated position. A spring69 urges the armature '70 of an electromagnet 68 to a position in whichstop lever 67 is operative, but when electromagnet 68 is energized, stoplever 67 is withdrawn to an inoperative position, and copy sheet 57 canbe further transported by the transporting rollers 58, 59.

In the stop position of the copy sheet 57, a switch 74 is closed. Switch74 controls an inking magnet 75 which, when energized, turns in thedirection of the arrow H so that an inking means 80 including a rollerpasses over the printing types which are aligned in a row locatedopposite copy sheet 57. Inking lever 80 is mounted for turning movementon a support 79 which also carries the shaft 132 of printing wheels 82.When inking lever 80 has been displaced to the angular position shown inchain lines in FIG. 5, it operates a switch 83 by which printing magnet85 is energized.

Support 79 is pivotally connected with a forked armature portion 90 ofprinting magnet 85 and is biassed by spring 89 to turn about supportshaft 78 to the illustrated position in which the printing wheels 82 arespaced from the copy sheet. When printing magnet 85 is energized,support 79 turns about shaft 78 to a printing position in which thelowermost axial row of printing types engages copy sheet 57.

An indexable drive shaft 104 is driven through a onerevolution clutch,not shown, by a motor, not shown, and carries a digital set of earns 1which are angularly staggered and axially spaced to sequentially engagea digital set of axially spaced interrogation switches 111, see alsoFIG. 6.

A gear 100 on shaft 104 meshes with a gear 101 secured to a shaft 102which carries a drive cam 103 whose periphery has two parts symmetricalto one plane of symmetry. Shaft 102 has a projecting cam portion and arecessed portion for operating a switch 105 which is connected in serieswith the interrogation switches 111, as shown in FIG. 6. A cam followerlever 115 cooperates with cam 103 toward which it is biassed by spring116, and is mounted on a shaft 114 for angular reciprocating movement.The free end of cam follower lever 115 has a slot in which a pin 117secured to a link means 120 is mounted. Link means 120 carries aprismatic body 121 having vertical slots receiving the ends of elongatedcoupling members 112. Body 121 and link 1120 are guided by rollers 118for straight reciprocating movement along a supporting surface 119.

Coupling pawls 123 are mounted in the vertical slots of body 121 forturning movement about the pivot 122 and are biassed by springs 124 toengage the upper notched edges of correlated coupling members 112 whichare formed with recesses engaged by coupling pawls 123 in theillustrated position.

Each coupling member 112 has an end portion with a lower edge formed asa rack meshing with a correlated pinion 125 secured to one of theprinting wheels 82. A coupling member 112 with a rack is provided foreach printing wheel 82 of the series so that each printing wheel 82 canbe set to a selected angular position, as will be described hereinafter.Each coupling member 112 co- 8 operates with a coupling pawl 123, anordinal series of coupling pawls 123 being mounted in the body 121.

An ordinal series of electromagnetic control means 106 is mounted on thetop plate of support 79 and each electromagnetic control means 20 has afork-shaped link pivotally connected with an arresting pawl means 108which is turnable on a shaft 109 mounted on support 79. Springs 113 acton the armatures of electromagnetic control means 106 and urge the sameto a position in which arresting pawl means 108 engage notches in theupper edge of the end portion of the respective coupling member 112. Tennotches are provided, corresponding to ten digital positions of therespective printing wheel 82. A switch 92 is operated by support 79 andis closed in the printing position of the printing wheels 82, and openedin the illustrated position.

Referring now to FIG. 6, one terminal of a voltage source is connectedto all electromagnetic control means 106, which correspond to theelectromagnetic control means 20 of the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 4. Eachelectromagnetic control means is connected to a digital set of keyswitches 98, and the number of sets of key switches is the same as thenumber of printing wheels. Ten interrogation switches 111 arerespectively connected with the corresponding key switches of allordinal sets of key switches 98.

The other terminal of the voltage source is connected by switch 105 tothe interrogation switches 111.

The inking electromagnet 75 is connected in series with the RC network76, 77 and the switch 74 which is closed by a copy sheet 57 in thestopped position shown in FIG. 5. The printing magnet 85, which operatessupport 79 of the printing wheels 82, is connected in series with adelay device and a RC network 86, 87, and also with a switch 83 which isoperated by the inking means after the same has inked the row of typesof the printing wheels which is located in the printing positionopposite the copy sheet 57. Another switch 97, shown at the right ofFIG. 5, is also operated by copy sheet 57 when the same have beentransported out of the illustrated position after printing. Switch 97 isconnected in series with the relay 93 which controls two relay contacts94 and 95. Switch 92 is also connected in series with relay 93 andswitch 97, and is bridged by the holding contact 94 when relay 93 isenergized. Relay contact 95 is connected in series with the releasingmagnet 68 by which stop lever 67 is moved to a position releasing theleading edge of copy sheet 57 so that the same can move on. Controllever 73 is also connected with the fork-shaped armature portion 70 andis turnable about a shaft 72 to move shaft 63 with the respectivetransporting roller '58 away from copy sheet 57 so that a copy sheet 57abutting stop lever 57 is not transported.

During rotation of printing cylinder 1, copy sheets 57 are imprinted bythe text on the master 128, stripped off the printing cylinder, andtransported by the first pair of transporting rollers 58, 59, and thenby the driven transporting roller 59 of the second pair of transportingrollers until its leading edge abuts stop lever 67 in the positionillustrated in FIG. 5. Since the upper transporting roller 58 of thesecond pair is held by lever 73 spaced from the respective lowertransporting roller 59, copy sheet 57 is only lightly pushed againststop lever 67, and remains in the illustrated position while closingswitch 74.

Switch 74 energizes the turnable inking magnet 75 over RC network '76,77, so that inking lever 80 is turned to the position shown in chainlines and inks the lowermost row of types of the printing wheels 82whereupon inking lever 80 closes switch 83. After this movement ofinking lever 80 in the direction of the arrow H against the action ofspring 81 which is secured to support 79 by a pin 84, spring 81 returnsinking lever 80 to its initial position.

Closing of switch 83 by the inking lever 80 effects energizing ofprinting magnet through RC network 86, 8'7 and delay device 88 so thatprinting magnet 85 turns support 79 about shaft 78 against the action ofspring 89 to a printing position in which the lowermost row of typefaces engages the copy sheet 57 and prints a line of digits orcharacters on the same. During the printing operation, switch 92 isclosed by support 79 and energizes relay 93 since switch 97 is not yetopened by copy sheet 57 which is held by the stop lever 67 in theillustrated printing position. Relay 93 closes the holding contact 94 sothat switch 92 is bridged when support 79 is returned by spring 90 toits initial inoperative position, and relay contact 95 energizes releasemagnet 68 which turns stop lever 67 to a position releasing the leadingedge of copy sheet 57, while control lever 73 permits the spring biassedtop roller 58 of the second pair of supporting rollers to move downwardinto full driving engagement with copy sheet 57 so that the same istransported and gripped by the third pair of transporting rollers 58, 59until the leading edge of the transported copy sheet opens switch 97.Switch 97 interrupts the circuit of relay 93 so that relay contacts 94and 95 open again and the release magnet 68 is deenergized, permittingspring 69 to turn stop lever 67 to the operative stop position, andcontrol lever 73 to raise top roller 58 of the second pair oftransporting rollers so that the next copy sheet can be received fromthe first pair of transporting rollers 58, 59.

The setting of the printing wheels 82 to new selected angular positionsrepresenting a new number having several orders, each of which isprinted by a digital printing wheel 82, is accomplished under thecontrol of drive shaft 104 which is driven from a motor, not shown,through a one-revolution clutch 99 to turn one revolution, when aswitch, not shown, is manually operated. Gears 100 and 101 are designedso that drive cam 103 performs half a revolution with shaft cam 102 whendrive shaft 104 and cams 110 thereon perform one revolution. Upon thestart of the revolution of drive shaft 104, the circumferential camprojection on shaft 102 closes switch 105 which, as best seen in FIG. 6,is connected with all interrogation switches 111 which are sequentiallyclosed by the ten cams 110. All electromagnetic control means 106 areenergized through the segmentially closed interrogation switches 111,and through the single key switch 58 selectively closed in each digitalset of key switches.

The energized electromagnetic control means 106 overcome springs 113 andturn all arresting means 108 to positions releasing the respectivecoupling members 112, and thereby the printing wheels 82 which can nowbe freely turned by the respective coupling members 12.

The first cam 110 is correlated with the digit and opens the respectiveinterrogation switch 111 so that in all orders in which the 0 key switch98 was selected and actuated, the respective electromagnetic controlmeans 106 are de-energized so that the respective arresting 'means 108are urged by the respective springs 113 to engage the respective recessin the respective coupling members 112 whereby the respective printingwheels 82 are locked in a position in which the zero types thereof arelocated opposite the copy sheet 57, ready for printing a 0 in therespective order.

During this operation, a circular portion of the drive cam 103cooperates with cam follower lever 115, but after arresting of therespective printing wheels 82 in the zero position, drive cam 103 actson cam follower means 115, 120 to move body 121 with all coupling pawls123 in the direction of arrow L.

The arrested coupling members 112 cannot be displaced, and therespective pawls 123 move out of the recesses in the same, and slidealong the same during the reciprocating stroke to the right of the camfollower means 115, 120.

The other coupling pawls 121 remain coupled with the respective couplingmembers 112 and move the same to the right in the direction of the arrowL so that the respective printing wheels 82 are turned due to theengagement of the rack portions of coupling members 112 with therespective pinions 125.

One cam 110 after the other engages and opens the correlated digitalinterrogation switch 111, so that electromagnetic control means 106 arede-energized by each operated interrogation switch which is connected toa selected and closed key switch 98. Each de-energized electromagneticcontrol means 106, permits spring 113 to operate arresting means 108 toarrest coupling member 112, and thereby printing wheel 82 associatedtherewith in an angular position representing the digit selected byoperation of the respective key switch 98 in the set of key switchescorrelated with the respective printing wheel 82. After one revolutionof drive shaft 104 with cams 110, all printing wheels 82 are set toselected positions and arrested by arresting means 108 so that aprinting operation can be started during which printing magnet pressesthe lowermost row of types representing the selected number against copysheet 57.

At the end of one revolution of the drive shaft 104, drive cam 103 hasturned half a revolution, and the cam follower means 115, 120 are at theend of the reciprocating stroke to the right. Since the one revolutionclutch 99 stops shaft 104 after one revolution, the cam follower meansand the body 121 with coupling pawls 103 remain in the same position,while any desired number of copy sheets is imprinted with the respectiveselected number.

After completion of the printing operation, the onerevolution clutch 99is again started to rotate shaft 104 one revolution so that drive cam103 performs the second half of its revolution during which spring 116turns the cam follower means 115, 120 to perform a reciprocating stroketoward the left, as viewed in FIG. 5. During this movement, all couplingpawls 123 are urged by the respective springs 124 into the couplingrecesses in coupling members 112 so that at the end of the reciprocatingstroke, all printing wheels 82 are returned to the zero position.Arresting means 108 slides over the tapered backs of the ratchet teethof coupling members 112 during the reciprocating stroke to the left.

During the second half revolution performed by drive cam 103, switchremains open due to the shape of cam 102 so that the interrogationswitches 111 and electromagnetic control means 106 are not energized.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or twoor more together, may also find a useful application in other types ofsetting apparatus for printing wheels differing from the types describedabove.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in akey controlled setting apparatus for an ordinal series of printingwheels which are individually turnable between digital printingpositions, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, sincevarious modifications and structural changes may be made withoutdeparting in any way from the spirit of the present invention.

What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent isset forth in the appended claims.

1. Key controlled setting apparatus for printing wheels, comprising, incombination, a series of printing wheels, each having a set of types,and being turnable between a set of printing positions; drive meansincluding indexa-ble stepwise movable drive shaft means; a series ofcoupling means for connecting said drive shaft means with said printingwheels, respectively; a set of staggered cam means stepwise moved bysaid drive shaft means and moving along paths; and a control circuitincluding a series of electromagnetic means for operating said couplingmeans, respectively, a series of sets of key switches, and a set ofinterrogation switches located in said paths, respectively, and beingsequentially actuated by said staggered cam means, respectively, duringone revolution of said drive shaft means, said interrogation switchesbeing connected with said key switches, respectively, of said sets ofkey switches so that when a selected key switch of any set of keyswitches is actuated, the respective correlated electromagnetic meansoperates the respective correlated coupling means upon actuation of therespective interrogation switch to couple said drive shaft means withthe respective printing wheel so that the same is turned to a printingposition corresponding to the selected key switch.

2. Key controlled setting apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in combinationwith a printing machine having means for transporting a copy sheet alonga path, and printing means located in said path for printing on one partof said copy sheet; wherein said printing wheels are located along saidpath; and comprising means for operating said series of printing wheelsto make an imprint on another part of said copy sheet.

3. Key controlled setting apparatus as claimed in claim 2 said printingmeans comprising a printing cylinder .having a cavity in which saidprinting wheels, coupling means, cam means and electromagnetic means arelocated.

4. Key controlled setting apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein saidtransporting means transport the copy sheet after said one part has beenimprinted by said printing means, said printing machine includingsupporting means for the transported copy sheet; and wherein saidprinting wheels are located adjacent said supporting means and operablefor printing on said other part of said copy sheet.

5. Key controlled setting apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein saiddrive shaft means support said printing wheels for rotation; said drivemeans including a motor for driving said drive shaft means; wherein saidcoupling means connect said drive shaft means with said printing wheels,respectively, and are operable by said electromagnetic means todisengage said printing wheels, respectively, and to engage the samewith said drive shaft means in selected angular positions respectivelycorrelated with different types.

6. Key controlled setting apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein eachof said printing wheels has arresting recesses between said types;comprising an arresting means movable to and from an arresting positionengaging said recesses and aligning the same and said types whileblocking rotation of said printing wheels; comprising anotherelectro-magnet for operating said arresting means; and means forenergizing and de-energizing said other electromagnet and said motor sothat said arresting means releases said printing wheels before saidmotor rotates the same, and moves to said arresting position when saidmotor has stopped so that said printing wheels remain in selectedprinting positions aligned for printing.

7. Key controlled setting apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein saiddrive means include drive cam means rotated by said drive shaft means,and cam follower means cooperating with said drive cam means; andwherein each coupling means includes a first coupling member connectedwith the respective printing wheel for movement between said printingpositions, a second coupling member disengageably coupled with saidfirst coupling member and moved by said cam follower means and arrestingmeans operated by said electromagnetic means to block movement of saidfirst coupling member in selected digital positions so that said secondcoupling member is disengaged from said first blocked coupling memberWhile moving with said cam follower means.

8. Key controlled setting apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in combinationwith a printing cylinder having a cavity in which said printing wheels,coupling means, cam means, and electromagnetic means are located;wherein said drive shaft means is mounted in said cavity supporting saidprinting Wheels for rotation, and being coupled with the same by saidcoupling means, a motor mounted in said cavity, and a Genevatransmission connecting said motor with said drive shaft means so thatthe same is turned stepwise between digital positions and transmitsstepwise movement to said coupling means and 12 said printing wheels sothat the same turn between said printing positions.

9. Key controlled setting apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein saiddrive means include a motor driving said drive shaft means; and whereinsaid control circuit includes switch means controlling said motor andoperated by said drive shaft means after one revolution for terminatingrotation of said motor and drive shaft means so that the typescorresponding to the selected key switches are aligned in a printingline at the end of one revolution.

10. Key controlled setting apparatus as claimed in claim 1 incombination with a printing machine having means for printing copysheets; and comprising transporting means for transporting an imprintedcopy sheet along a path; a supporting surface for said copy sheet alongsaid path; a shaft supporting said printing wheels for rotation; amovable support for said shaft and the printing Wheels thereon; andprinting magnet means for moving said support toward and away from saidsupporting surface and between a printing position in which saidprinting wheels print on said imprinted copy sheet, and an inoperativeposition in which said printing wheels can be set to selected printingpositions.

11. Key control setting apparatus as claimed in claim 10 comprisingtransporting means having a transporting position for positivelytransporting said copy sheet, and an engaging position for frictionallyengaging said copy sheet; stop means having a stop position for stoppingsaid copy sheet and a releasing position releasing the same; andoperating means for moving said transporting means and stop meanssimultaneously to said transporting and releasing positions, and to saidengaging and stop positions respectively.

12. Key control setting apparatus as claimed in claim 11 wherein saidoperating means include an electromagnet having a spring biassedarmature for urging said transporting means and stop means to saidengaging and stop positions, respectively and being energizable formoving the same to said transporting and releasing positions; andwherein said control circuit includes switch means operated by said copysheet to energize and deenergize said electromagnet.

13. Key control setting apparatus as claimed in claim 10 comprisinginking means for said printing Wheels; inking magnet means for movingsaid inking means to and from an inking position; and wherein saidcontrol circuit includes an inking switch operated by said transportedcopy sheet and connected with said inking magnet for energizing thesame.

14. Key control setting apparatus as claimed in claim 13 wherein saidcontrol circuit includes a printing switch connected with said printingmagnet means and operated by said inking means after movement to saidinking position to energize said printing magnet means so that the inkedprinting wheels print on said copy sheet.

15. Key control setting apparatus as claimed in claim 10 wherein saiddrive shaft means includes a rotary shaft having a projecting portion;and wherein said control circuit includes a switch operated by saidprojecting portion to energize and de-energize said electromagneticmeans, and connected in series with said interrogation switches and keyswitches.

16. Key control setting apparatus as claimed in claim 10 wherein saiddrive means include a one revolution clutch for rotating said driveshaft means and cam means one revolution, drive cam means rotated bysaid one revolution clutch, and cam follower means operating saidcoupling means for turning and setting said printing wheels.

17. Key control setting apparatus as claimed in claim 1-6 wherein eachcoupling means includes a coupling member connected with the respectiveprinting wheel and having a digit-a1 set of arresting recesses; whereinsaid coupling means comprise spring biassed arresting means for engagingsaid arresting recesses, and respectively operated by saidelectromagnetic means to release said arresting recesses when saidelectromagnetic means are ener gized, so that said printing wheels arearrested in selected printing positions when said electromagnetic meansare sequentially de-energized by said interrogating switches under thecontrol of said cam means.

18. Key control setting apparatus as claimed in claim 17 wherein saiddrive shaft means include a rotary shaft having a projecting portion;wherein said control circuit includes a switch operated by saidprojecting portion to energize and de-energize said electromagneticmeans and connected in series with said interrogation switches; andwherein said switch is closed before said interrogation switches areopened by said cam means, and again opened before said interrogationswitches are again closed by said cam means.

19. Key control setting apparatus as claimed in claim 16 wherein saiddrive means include means for rotating said drive cam means at half thespeed of said one revolution clutch; and wherein said cam follower meansmove in a working stroke in one direction for setting said printingwheels during half a revolution of said drive cam means, and in a returnstroke during the second half revolution of the same for clearing saidprinting wheels; and wherein said one revolution clutch is once startedfor setting said printing wheels, and a second time started for clearingsaid printing wheels.

20. Key controlled setting apparatus for printing wheels, comprising, incombination, a series of printing wheels, each having a set of types,and being turnable between a set of printing positions; drive meansincluding drive shaft means, drive cam means rotated by said drive shaftmeans, and cam follower means cooperating with said drive cam means; aseries of coupling means for connecting said drive means with saidprinting wheels, respectively; a set of cam means rotated by said drivemeans; and a control circuit including a series of electromagnetic meansfor operating said coupling means, respectively, a series of sets of keyswitches, and a set of interrogation switches sequentially actuated bysaid cam means, respectively, during one revolution of said set of cammeans and connected with said key switches, respectively, of said setsof key switches so that when a selected key switch of any set of keyswitches is actuated, the respective correlated electromagnetic meansoperates the respective correlated coupling means upon actuation of therespective interrogation switch to couple said drive means with therespective printing wheel so that the same turns to a printing positioncorresponding to the selected key switch; and wherein each couplingmeans includes a first coupling member connected with the respectiveprinting wheel for movement between said printing positions, a secondcoupling member disengageably coupled with said first coupling memberand moved by said cam follower means, and arresting means operated bysaid electromagnetic means to block movement of said first couplingmember in selected digital positions so that said second coupling memberis disengaged from said first blocked coupling member while moving withsaid cam follower means.

21. Key controlled setting apparatus for printing wheels, comprising, incombination, a series of printing wheels, each having a set of types,and being turnable between a set of printing positions; drive meansincluding a drive shaft supporting said printing wheels for rotation, amotor, and a Geneva transmission connecting said motor with said driveshaft so that the same is step-wise turned between digital positions; aseries of coupling means for connecting said drive shaft with saidprinting wheels, re-

spectively so that said drive shaft transmits stepwise movement to saidcoupling means and printing wheels so that the same turn between saidprinting positions; a set of cam means rotated by said drive means; acontrol circuit including a series of electromagnetic means foroperating said coupling means, respectively, a series of sets of keyswitches, and a set of interrogation switches sequentially actuated bysaid cam means, respectively, during one revolution of said set of cammeans and connected with said key switches, respectively, of said setsof key switches so that when a selected key switch of any set of keyswitches is actuated, the respective correlated electromagnetic meansoperates the respective correlated coupling means upon actuation of therespective interrogation switch to couple said drive means with therespective printing wheel so that the same turns to a printing positioncorresponding to the selected key switch; and a printing cylinder havinga cavity in which said motor, Geneva mechanism, drive shaft, printingwheels, coupling means, cam means, and electromagnetic means arelocated.

22. Key controlled setting apparatus as claimed in claim 21 wherein saidcontrol circuit is connected with said motor, and includes a startswitch for starting said motor, relay means including a holding contactfor said motor, and another switch operable to disconnect said relaymeans; and wherein said drive shaft means has a projection for operatingsaid other switch at the end of one revolution.

23. Key controlled setting apparatus as claimed in claim 22 includingarresting means biassed for arresting said printing wheels in saidprinting positions, respectively, in which said types are aligned inaxial rows; wherein said control circuit includes another electromagnetfor moving said arresting means to a releasing position, and beingenergized by operation of said start switch, and being deenergized bysaid other switch so that said arresting means arrests said printingwheels.

24. Key controlled setting apparatus as claimed in claim 21 wherein eachcoupling means includes a biassed coupling pawl mounted on therespective printing wheel and a set of coupling teeth on said driveshaft for coupling said drive shaft with said printing wheels in saidprinting positions of the same, respectively.

-25. Key controlled setting apparatus as claimed in claim 24 whereineach electromagnetic means includes an electromagnetic and a controllever operated by said electromagnet to move said biassed coupling pawlto a position releasing said coupling teeth of said drive shaft;comprising a series of contacts connected with said electromagnets,respectively, and mounted on said printing cylinder; a fixed support;and a contact member mounted on said fixed support for movement betweena retracted position and an operative position, and including a seriesof contacts respectively engaging said contacts on said printingcylinder in said operative position for simultaneously energizing allsaid electromagnetic means in an initial position of said printingcylinder.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,796,828 6/1957 Ritzcrfeld eta1. 101-91 3,191,526 6/1965 Ross 101-91 3,420,163 7/1969 Ritzerfeld10l76 WILLIAM B. PENN, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 10176, 90, 132

